Obama photo "divisive"

A controversial photograph circulating on the Internet shows a young Barack Obama riding a tricycle, a childish form of human powered transportation.

The photo, reportedly circulated by “Clinton staffers” according to an anonymous email, portrays Obama wearing scandulously short shorts and riding a child’s toy. His caretakers obviously also show an astonishing lack of concern for the child by failing to outfit him with a helmet, knee pads and elbow pads.

Obama campaign manager David Plouffe immediately accused Clinton’s campaign of “the most shameful, offensive fear-mongering we’ve seen from either party in this election.”

Obama’s foreign policy adviser, Susan Rice, said the circulation of the photograph was divisive and suggests “that the customs and cultures of those who choose to use alternative modes of transportation are worthy of ridicule or condemnation.”

“Enough,” said Clinton campaign manager Maggie Williams. “If Barack Obama’s campaign wants to suggest that a photo of him on a tricycle is divisive, they should be ashamed. Hillary Clinton rode a bike, once, as a child in Illinois when the family chauffeur called in sick.” Clinton’s husband, former U.S. president Bill Clinton, first rode a bicycle when he was 22 years old.

In December, two Clinton Iowa volunteers resigned after forwarding a hoax e-mail that falsely said Obama is car-free and participates in Critical Mass bicycle rides in Chicago. Obama recently traded his Chrysler 300C Thugmobile in for a more Democratic voter friendly Ford Escape Hybrid.